Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

LC041

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Location

الجغبوب, Jaghbub, Butnan, Libya

Geolocation

29.741912, 24.515678 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident dated no later than September 16th, Alwasat reported that three young men from Al-Bayda were killed in an Egyptian airstrike after crossing the border coming from a fishing trip near Jaghbub.

The journal named the victims as Mu’taz Salem Ali Bhohelasiya, 19 years old, Hussam al-Gilani, 27 years old, and Salem Hussein Issa Fakreen, 30 years old.

According to the only survivor, Salem Khattab Hamad bin Ali Buhajar, he and his friends came under attack by bombing and gunfire: “The next morning, the battery of the vehicle ran out because the refrigerator was running. We relaxed a bit and started to prepare breakfast for my friends. In the meantime, a plane came flying around for half an hour. I ran a little away from the car that was blown up by the bombing. In fact, the scene was painful. My friend, Moataz died instantly, while the other two were alive, but one of them suffered severe burns and the other was hit by a bullet.”

He pointed out that Salem Fakirin died the day after the incident from his injuries, while Al-Jilani died on the third day because of their failure to save them and stay in the desert.

While Alwasat reported the incident occurred on the Egyptian side of the border, UNSMIL said in its September 2016 report that it was near Jaghbub in Libya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

17 years old male Via Alwasat killed
27 years old male Via Alwasat killed
30 years old male Via Alwasat killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the victims before they were killed in alleged Egyptian airstrike near r the border (Source: Al Wasat)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of Jaghbub (الجغبوب) village. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jaghbub are: 29.741912, 24.515678.

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC100b

Incident date

January 16, 2019

Location

راس يوسف, Ras Yusuf, Nuqat al Khums, Libya

Geolocation

32.786200, 12.318565 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women and an elderly man were reportedly killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling in Tripoli.

UNSMIL wrote in its civilian casualty report that “two women and an elderly man were killed in Ras Yusuf district while attempting to escape the shelling.”

Local reports point at GNA-affiliated militias or the 7th Brigade as the perpetrator behind the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ras Yusuf (راس يوسف), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.786200, 12.318565. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC141

Incident date

May 15, 2019

Location

القواسم, Qawasim, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.214378, 13.042078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians were reported killed by a GNA airstrike in Qawasim.

Ghada Elmehdwi reported: “Misrata targets civilians in Gheryan – Qawasim and victims occurred.”

Other sources did not mention civilian harm but the targeting of civilian homes. Wadi Dinar News Agency said that the houses of Sami and Ramzi Al Muntaser were damaged and posted pictures of them.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Qawasim (القواسم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.214378, 13.042078. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC165

Incident date

July 16, 2019

Location

السواني, Al-Swani, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.712224, 13.07224 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three medics were reportedly killed in an LNA airstrike on a field hospital in Al-Swani.

Burkanly only said the hospital had been targeted without mentioning civilian harm.

OCHA Libya said three medical staff had been injured and equipment damaged.

Hona Sog Al-Khmies Emsihel reported that three combatants had been killed while several doctors and nurses were injured. The Libya Observer published a similar account.

According to the Libya Herald, “the Health Ministry claimed the Swani hospital was hit by an air strike which injured three ambulance drivers and a paramedic, and caused destruction to the hospital and its medical supplies and equipment.”

The Turkish state news outlet Anadolu Agency wrote: “Three medics were killed on Tuesday in an airstrike carried out by Eastern Libyan forces led by military commander Khalifa Haftar, according to forces aligned with the Tripoli-based government.”

The Libya Observer said that three government fighter were killed and ten others wounded including three medics.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    GNA
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the alleged aftermath (via Burkanly)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via Libyan Express)
  • More pictures from the incident

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the incident took place in Al-Swani (السواني), for which the generic coordinates are 32.712224 13.07224. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    GNA
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC028

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Location

شواطئ بنغازي, Benghazi Shoreline, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.070429, 20.0019836 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA targeted a marine trailer reportedly carrying 10 tanks, 3 containers of ammunition and a number of vehicles off the shores of Benghazi at around 03:00 according to its Facebook page.

In an apparent maritime version of a double tap strike, the LNA further reported that other boats then tried to save the people on the trailer but suggests that its planes struck them before they arrived: “As for the individuals on board of the vessels, three boats tried to rescue them in a desperate attempt to rescue them but the eagles of the air were on time and waiting for them.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video published by LNA that shows footage of several airstrikes conducted in Benghazi (Source: LAN media)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the shoreline of Benghazi (بنغازي‎) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Benghazi are: 32.070429, 20.0019836.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC064

Incident date

March 12, 2017

Location

راس لانوف, Ras Lanuf: Oil Port, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.487363, 18.584418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An LNA airstrike allegedly killed two security guards at the oil port near Ras Lanuf. The airstrike was reportedly conducted in the evening.

Libya Alkhabar reported: “Commander of the Petroleum Facilities Guard, Brigadier General Idris Bukhmadah, said in a statement from the city of Ras Lanuf that the Guard of Petroleum Facilities follows the National Oil Corporation and has nothing to do with political clashes and conflicts and does not have any combat duties, but rather its duty to secure and facilitate the operations of the National Oil Corporation.”

No further details were provided on the identity of the victims and the locations of the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image: Libya Alkhabar

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Oil Port in Ras Lanuf (راس لانوف), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.487363, 18.584418. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC089

Incident date

September 14, 2018

Location

كورى بوقودى, Kouri Bougoudi, Murzuq, Libya

Geolocation

23.482406, 15.962053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Chadian helicopter strike on an illegal gold mine in Kouri Bougoudi at the Libyan-Chadian border.

Reuters wrote: “Chadian army helicopters killed two civilians in bombing runs over a gold mining town along the Libyan border, where government forces have clashed with a fledgeling rebel movement, a family member of the victims and an intelligence official said.

Two helicopters attacked the town of Kouri Bougoudi on Thursday and the two men died from their wounds on Friday, the family member, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters. Two other civilians were wounded in the attacks, the person said.

An intelligence source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that two civilians were killed in the raids.

Chad’s army spokesman declined to comment.”

Tchad Today named the victims as Galmai Dirdemi and Hassan Kelle Lony.

Al Wihda Info provided more details on the attack: “Last Thursday, the day of the bombing, the helicopters flew low over two camps suspected of harbouring gold miners. The bombing was remotely controlled thanks to the GPS position of the target. For a few minutes, the helicopters dropped bombs and fired a 17-gauge weapon. The aim was to neutralize the individuals in these two camps, according to concordant sources.

It further reported that “gold miners on the scene accuse the air force of having used in this helicopter firing cluster bombs and submunitions against the two camps, to neutralize their target. This former rebel officer was wounded in the bombing but his life is no longer engaged, said his family to Al Wihda Info.”

218 TV also reported on the strike but didn’t name the belligerent or mention civilian harm.

As the illegal gold mines are exactly placed along the border it is contested among the sources whether the strike took place in Libya or Chad. Le Monde Afrique said it was in “the extreme north” of Chad, while a map of gold mines published by ag on Twitter puts the location of Kouri Boudgoudi on the Libyan side of the border. Arnaud Delalande also reported airstrikes on Kilinje which is deeper inside Libyan territory and used by Chadian rebels to illegaly source gold.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Galmai Dirdemi
Age unknown Via Tchad Today killed
Hassan Kelle Lon
Age unknown Via Tchad Today killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Chadian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tchad Today showing images of the victims
  • Map of the border area placing Kouri Bougoudi inside Libya
  • Menastream showing the impact of the strike
  • Menastream showing the impact of the strike
  • Menastream showing the impact of the strike
  • Menastream showing the impact of the strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kouri Bougoudi (كورى بوقودى), for which the generic coordinates are: 23.482406, 15.962053. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Chadian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Chadian Military
  • Chadian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Chadian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC027

Incident date

March 15, 2016

Location

الهواري, Al-Hawary, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.013102, 20.126642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA posted a video of a helicopter squadron targeting alleged terrorists. The video depicts people caught in explosions, and vehicles and buildings suffering damage.

However the combatant status of those hit is unclear.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention airstrikes in the Al Hawary (الهواري) neighborhood of Benghazi (بنغازي). After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed this location down to a mosque northwest of the cement factory, the exact coordinates for which are: 32.013102, 20.126642.

  • Image showing helicopter airstrike targeting mosque near cement factory.

    Imagery:
    Ansar Al-Sharia

  • Satellite image showing mosque targeted by airstrike in previous image.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]